NPR News: 05-12-2026 6PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – 05-12-2026 6PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton (with reports from Domenico Montanaro, Camila Domonosky, Ritu Chatterjee)
Date: May 12, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise, up-to-the-hour coverage of key national and international news stories. Major themes include President Trump’s diplomatic trip to China amid the Iran war, domestic debates over war costs and trade policy, economic updates affecting Americans, a new study on firearm safety in homes, and global headlines like a hantavirus outbreak and the politically charged Eurovision Song Contest.

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Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. U.S.-China Relations Amid the Iran War

[00:29 – 01:28]

• President Trump is en route to Beijing for a state visit, expected to address the ongoing Iran war.
• Survey Insight:
  • Americans’ Views on China: 78% believe China aims for global dominance, particularly economically.
  • Trade Relationship: Majority support trade ties and lowered tariffs to keep consumer prices down.
  • Impact of Iran War:
    • Most say war harms both U.S. and China economically.
    • More Americans see the war strengthening China’s geopolitical status than advancing U.S. security.

“78% say they believe China wants to be a dominant world leader, particularly economically.”
— Domenico Montanaro, NPR [00:53]

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2. Iran War: Congressional Scrutiny and Defense Spending

[01:28 – 02:02]

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth questioned by both parties over war strategy, costs, and weapons stockpile depletion.
• Cost updates:
  • Initially $25B, now estimated at $29B due to equipment repair/replacement and operational costs.

“At the time of testimony from the HASC, it was $25 billion… now we think it’s closer to 29.”
— Jules Hurst, Defense Department comptroller [01:45]

• GOP members push back on the administration for munitions management and Trump’s criticism of allies.
• Hegseth claims the military maintains adequate missile defense and weaponry.

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3. Energy Prices and Economic Impacts

[02:02 – 03:01]

• National gas average dips slightly to $4.50/gallon; diesel surges to $5.64/gallon due to refinery issues.
• Effects on inflation noted.
• President Trump floats a federal gas tax holiday (would save consumers ~18 cents/gallon but requires Congress).

“Diesel prices, meanwhile, are at $5.64 up from yesterday… Diesel prices drive up inflation across the entire economy.”
— Camila Domonosky, NPR [02:27]

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4. U.S. Political Update: Missouri Redistricting

[03:01 – 03:20]

• Missouri Supreme Court upholds new congressional maps favoring Republicans, following Trump’s urging for new district lines ahead of midterms.

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5. Stock Market Brief

[03:20 – 03:29]

• Dow posts a marginal gain, but tech stock decline halts recent Wall Street highs.

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6. Global Health Alert: Hantavirus Outbreak

[03:29 – 04:03]

• French woman critically ill after contracting hantavirus on a cruise ship; WHO reports 11 global cases (3 deaths), mostly linked to the ship.

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7. Firearms & Child Safety: New Study Findings

[04:03 – 04:50]

• Nearly 7 million U.S. children live in homes with at least one firearm kept unlocked and loaded, per a JAMA Network Open study.
  • Survey of ~900 gun-owning parents: 1 in 5 store a gun in the least safe manner.
• Teenagers at higher risk:
  • More parents keep firearms unsecured as children reach their teens, despite elevated suicide risks in this group.

“Nearly one in five respondents had at least one firearm stored in the least safe way possible, unlocked and loaded.”
— Dr. Matthew Miller, Northeastern University [04:03]

“So you pick it up and you can fire it.” — Domenico Montanaro [04:24]
“You don’t have to unlock it. It’s ready to go.” — Ryland Barton [04:26]

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8. Europe & Culture: Eurovision Amid Political Protest

[04:50 – 05:10]

• Eurovision kicks off in Vienna under heightened security.
  • Five-country boycott and planned pro-Palestinian protests over Israel’s participation.

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Notable Quotes

• “More Americans say the [Iran] war is boosting China’s geopolitical position than say it’s helping US national security.”
  — Domenico Montanaro, [00:53]
• “President Trump has endorsed the idea of a federal gas tax holiday… which Trump acknowledged was a small percentage of the consumer.”
  — Camila Domonosky, [02:27]
• “Teenagers are already at a higher risk of suicide and easy access to firearms increases that risk.”
  — Dr. Matthew Miller, [04:28]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:29] U.S.-China relations & public opinion poll
• [01:28] Congressional hearing on Iran war costs
• [02:02] Gasoline & diesel price updates; Trump’s gas tax holiday proposal
• [03:01] Missouri redistricting decision
• [03:29] Hantavirus cruise ship outbreak
• [04:03] Firearms in homes with children (JAMA study)
• [04:50] Eurovision contest, boycotts, and security

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This 5-minute update delivers a brisk, wide-ranging snapshot of today’s top news, from evolving geopolitics and pocketbook issues to vital public health and cultural headlines.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

KACH code NPR live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is expected to discuss the Iran war during his state visit to China. He left this afternoon and is now on his way to Beijing. NPR's Domenico Monaro reports on what Americans think of the U.S. china relationship in a survey done by NPR in conjunction with the Chicago Council on Global affairs and ipsos.

[Domenico Montanaro]

In two polls over the last few months, there were some notable findings. First, Americans see China on the rise and eyeing a dominant role in the world. 78% say they believe China wants to be a dominant world leader, particularly economically. But respondents also say they want to keep a strong trading relationship with China and they want tariffs lowered to keep costs down for US Consumers. Most also say the Iran war has been bad for both countries and their economies. But more Americans say the war is boosting China's geopolitical position than say it's helping US national security. Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington.

[Ryland Barton]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the Trump administration's endgame for the Iran war, its cost and impact on diminishing US Weapons stockpiles. Jules Hurst is performing the duties of the Defense Department's comptroller. He says the cost of the war has risen.

[Domenico Montanaro]

At the time of testimony from the HASC, it was $25 billion. But the joint staff team and the comptroller team are constantly looking at that estimate. And so now we think it's closer to 29. That's because of updated repair and replacement of equipment cost and also just general operational costs.

[Ryland Barton]

Keep people in theater, that's $29 billion. Hegseth got pushback from members of his own Republican Party about munitions and President Trump's criticism of traditional allies for not taking part in the conflict. Hegseth insisted that the military has plenty of missile defense systems and other weapons. The national average for a gallon of regular gas is now $4.50 a gallon. That's down slightly from yesterday. As NPR's Camilla Dominoski reports, the App

[Camilla Domonosky]

Gas buddy shows drops in states like Michigan and Ohio helped bring the national average down slightly. Diesel prices, meanwhile, are at $5.64 up from yesterday, thanks in part to ongoing refinery issues. Diesel prices drive up inflation across the entire economy. President Trump has endorsed the idea of a federal gas tax holiday that would require an act of Congress and would save consumers a little more than 18 cents per gallon on gasoline, which Trump acknowledged was a small percentage of the consumer. G. Camila Domonosky, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

The Missouri Supreme Court today upheld new congressional districts that could help Republicans win an extra seat. It's the latest redistricting victory for President Trump after he urged Republican led states to draw new maps to boost the party's chances of keeping control of the House during this year's elections. Although the Dow added a tenth of a percent today, a sudden halt for technology stocks put the brakes on Wall Street's record setting run. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A doctor says a French woman infected with hantavirus on a cruise ship is critically ill and being treated with an artificial lung. The World Health Organization says the outbreak has now reached 11 total reported cases worldwide, nine of which have been confirmed. The overall tally includes three people from the cruise ship who died. Nearly 7 million children in the US live in a home with at least one firearm kept unlocked and loaded. That's according to a new study in JAMA network open, as NPR's Ritu Chatterjee reports, firearms the leading cause of pediatric deaths in America.

[Ritu Chatterjee]

Researchers surveyed nearly 900 gun owning parents with kids younger than 18 years in the home and asked them how they store their guns. Study author Dr. Matthew Miller is a public health researcher at Northeastern University. He says nearly one in five respondents had at least one firearm stored in the least safe way possible, unlocked and loaded.

[Domenico Montanaro]

So you pick it up and you can fire it.

[Ryland Barton]

You don't have to unlock it. It's ready to go.

[Ritu Chatterjee]

When they analyzed their results by age of the kids, they found that more parents chose to leave their firearms unlocked and loaded when their kids were in their teens compared to parents of younger children. But Miller says teenagers are already at a higher risk of suicide and easy access to firearms increases that risk. Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

The Eurovision Song contest is starting in Vienna with tensions simmering over Israel's participation. Five countries are boycotting in protest over Israel's involvement. Pro Palestinian demonstrations are planned and security is tight with police from Austria and Germany. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Kachava Advertiser]

This message comes from Kachava. It can be tough to stick to your wellness routine, especially when you're on the go. Cachava's new travel packs make it easier. Just one packet provides nutrition ready for wherever life takes you with protein, fiber, grains, probiotics, electrolytes and more. Take your daily ritual with you. Go to cachava.com and use code NPR. New customers get 15% off their first order. That's K-C-H-A-V A.com code NPR.